League Review: Mathare United and Sofapaka lead

Sofapaka v Nakumatt Nakumatt's Kennedy Onyango cahllenges Sofapaka's Willis Ouma during their Kenyan Premier League match at Narok Stadium on Saturday, August 19, 2017. [Oliver Ananda/www.sportpicha.co.ke]

Mathare buoyant after stomping win

Six unanswered goals by Slum Boys raises Kimanzi’s spirits on a weekend that saw record 38 goals scored

Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi believes his side is capable of fighting for a respectable finish in the Kenyan Premier League after thrashing Zoo Kericho 6-0 on Saturday.

The Slum Boys have flirted with relegation all season and were stuck at the bottom for a better part of this year. But last Saturday’s win has pushed Mathare to 13th place on the log, their best position since the league started.

“We were just too good for Zoo Kericho and should even have scored more goals. The huge win was very important to us because of the goal difference. If we go on like this we should be up there fighting for a respectable finish,” he said.

Kimanzi said they are eyeing six points against Nakumatt on Wednesday and Bandari on Sunday, and believes this will make a big difference in their campaign.

“If we get another six points, we will stop worrying about relegation and get on to playing the brand of football we are used to. Then people will see our potential as a team,” he added.

The coach was also full of praise for his top striker Chrispine Oduor, who netted a hat-trick against the Kericho side.

“He has been marvelous and I believe that by now he deserves to be the top scorer if he had scored some of the chances he missed. He is going to make a big difference for us this season,” said Kimanzi.

Oduor has so far netted seven goals out of the 20 matches he has featured for Mathare United.

It was not only Mathare United, who were in a goal scoring mood as Sofapaka thrashed Nakumatt 5-2 to avenge the 2-1 loss they suffered in the first leg.

The victory pushed Sofapaka to second spot on the log and finally they are back in title contention.

Sofapaka have done well for themselves since bringing on board Sam Ssimbwa at the beginning of the season. The Ugandan has turned around the side from a struggling side to a title contender. The team missed relegation by a whisker last year and survived only on the last day after thrashing Thika United 5-1.

AFC Leopards seem to be putting their league woes behind them and are in line to win the GOtv shield after thrashing Wazito 7-1 to make it to the semi-finals. They will meet Vihiga United, who upset defending champions Tusker 2-0.

Sony Sugar and Kariobangi Sharks will play in the other semi-final match. Sony edged out Bandari 3-1 while Sharks thrashed Eldoret Youth 5-0 in the other quarter-final matches played at the weekend.